Genesis 32:11

11 Deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him, lest haply he should come and smite me, and the mother upon the children.

Genesis 32:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:11

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from
the hand of Esau
For though his brother, it was his brother Esau, that had formerly vowed revenge upon him, and had determined to kill him, ( Genesis 27:41 ) , and he knew not but that he was still of the same mind; and now having an opportunity, and in his power to do it, being accompanied with four hundred men, he feared he would attempt it; and therefore entreats the Lord, who was greater than he, to deliver him from falling into his hands, and being destroyed by him: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with
the children;
for whom Jacob seems to be more concerned than for himself; the phrase denotes the utter destruction of his family, and the cruelty and inhumanity that would be exercised therein; which shows what an opinion he had of his brother, and of his savage disposition.

Genesis 32:11 In-Context

9 And Jacob said, God of my father Abraam, and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, thou he that said to me, Depart quickly to the land of thy birth, and I will do thee good.

10 Let there be to me a sufficiency of all the justice and all the truth which thou hast wrought with thy servant; for with this my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two camps.

11 Deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him, lest haply he should come and smite me, and the mother upon the children.

12 But thou saidst, I will do thee good, and will make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which shall not be numbered for multitude.

13 And he slept there that night, and took of the gifts which he carried , and sent out to Esau his brother,